Social Science

Cognitive Biases and Decision Making

1,880 Questions

Explore a curated set of questions on cognitive biases, decision making, and behavioral economics. These concepts evaluate how social norms, emotions, and heuristics influence human judgment and group behavior. Master these topics to build a strong foundation for psychology and social science exams.

Behavioral economicsSocial group influencesEmotional decision makingConfirmation bias

Cognitive Biases and Decision Making Questions

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to perceive their favorite sports teams as being superior to other teams, even when there is no objective evidence to support this belief?

  1. Fanaticism

  2. Groupthink

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Illusory superiority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Illusory superiority is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to perceive their favorite sports teams as being superior to other teams, even when there is no objective evidence to support this belief.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to attribute positive outcomes to their own team's skill and effort, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors, such as bad luck or biased officiating?

  1. Fanaticism

  2. Self-serving bias

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Illusory superiority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Self-serving bias is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to attribute positive outcomes to their own team's skill and effort, while attributing negative outcomes to external factors, such as bad luck or biased officiating.

Multiple choice

What is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to overestimate the likelihood of their favorite sports teams winning, even when the odds are against them?

  1. Fanaticism

  2. Optimism bias

  3. Confirmation bias

  4. Illusory superiority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Optimism bias is the term used to describe the tendency for fans to overestimate the likelihood of their favorite sports teams winning, even when the odds are against them.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the idea that the future is shaped by our expectations?

  1. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

  2. Pygmalion Effect

  3. Confirmation Bias

  4. Selective Perception
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The self-fulfilling prophecy is the idea that our expectations about the future can actually cause those expectations to come true.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a cognitive bias?

  1. Confirmation bias

  2. Hindsight bias

  3. Framing effect

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and framing effect are all examples of cognitive biases, which are systematic errors in thinking that can lead to inaccurate judgments and decisions.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to become distracted by irrelevant information?

  1. Distractibility

  2. Inattention

  3. Hyperactivity

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Distractibility is the tendency to become distracted by irrelevant information. This can be a problem in many areas of life, including school, work, and relationships.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the tendency to be easily distracted by novel or unexpected stimuli?

  1. Distractibility

  2. Inattention

  3. Hyperactivity

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Distractibility is the tendency to be easily distracted by novel or unexpected stimuli. This can be a problem in many areas of life, including school, work, and relationships.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where people tend to interact with others who share similar views and opinions, leading to the formation of echo chambers and filter bubbles?

  1. Selective Exposure

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Group Polarization

  4. Social Homophily
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Social Homophily refers to the tendency of people to interact with others who share similar characteristics, such as values, beliefs, and interests, leading to the formation of echo chambers and filter bubbles.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the phenomenon where people present an idealized version of themselves on social media, often leading to unrealistic expectations and comparisons?

  1. Self-Presentation Theory

  2. Impression Management

  3. Social Comparison Theory

  4. Looking-Glass Self
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Impression Management refers to the process by which individuals attempt to control the image they project to others, often through self-presentation on social media.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a common heuristic used in decision-making?

  1. Representativeness

  2. Availability

  3. Anchoring

  4. Certainty Effect
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The certainty effect is a cognitive bias, not a heuristic. It refers to the tendency for individuals to prefer a certain outcome over an uncertain outcome, even if the expected value of the uncertain outcome is higher.

Multiple choice

The framing effect refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. The way information is presented influences an individual's decision-making.

  2. Individuals are more likely to choose options that are framed positively.

  3. Individuals are more likely to choose options that are framed negatively.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The framing effect encompasses all of the above options. It suggests that the way information is presented can influence an individual's decision-making, leading them to choose options that are framed in a particular way, whether positively or negatively.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is an example of a cognitive bias?

  1. Hindsight Bias

  2. Confirmation Bias

  3. Framing Effect

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Hindsight bias, confirmation bias, and framing effect are all examples of cognitive biases. Cognitive biases are systematic errors in thinking that can lead to irrational decision-making.

Multiple choice

The endowment effect refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. Individuals place a higher value on items they own compared to items they do not own.

  2. Individuals are more likely to sell items they own at a loss.

  3. Individuals are more likely to buy items they do not own at a premium.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The endowment effect is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to place a higher value on items they own compared to items they do not own, even if the items are objectively of equal value.

Multiple choice

The hyperbolic discounting model suggests that:

  1. Individuals place a higher value on immediate rewards compared to future rewards.

  2. Individuals place a higher value on future rewards compared to immediate rewards.

  3. Individuals are indifferent between immediate and future rewards.

  4. None of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The hyperbolic discounting model is a behavioral economics model that suggests that individuals place a higher value on immediate rewards compared to future rewards, even if the future rewards are objectively of greater value.

Multiple choice

The availability heuristic refers to the phenomenon where:

  1. Individuals are more likely to recall information that is easily accessible in their memory.

  2. Individuals are more likely to recall information that is emotionally charged.

  3. Individuals are more likely to recall information that is presented in a vivid manner.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to rely on information that is easily accessible in their memory, emotionally charged, or presented in a vivid manner, when making judgments and decisions.